Join the Two Oceans Aquarium, as well as ocean and seabird lovers, conservation organisations and similar facilities around the world, this Saturday 17 October for International African Penguin Awareness day.
“The endangered African penguin is found only along the southern African coastline. They occur nowhere else in the world. It is also the only penguin species to be found on the continent. ”
As per usual we have a fun-filled day of activities - and a few surprises - lined up for the special occasion.
“These enigmatic birds face extinction in the wild as their numbers continue to decline dramatically. There are just over 18 000 African penguin breeding pairs left in South Africa. ”
First things first is the fun early-morning mini-waddle around the V&A Waterfront. Dress in black and white and arrive at the Aquarium around 8:30am for complimentary beverages before we take off at about 9am for a relaxed 3km waddle around the Waterfront. The slow stroll should take about an hour.
“Loss of food sources due to overfishing, climate change and habitat destruction are just some of the factors taking their toll on African penguin populations.”
Remember to bring your own water. We encourage you to avoid bottled water … It’s one of the ocean promises for the National Marine Week #MyOceanPromise campaign!
“Capetonians are fortunate to have two land-based penguin colonies on their doorstep. The first is at Boulders Beach, Simon’s Town and the second is at Stony Point, Betty’s Bay. Other penguin colonies include Robben Island and Dyer Island near Gansbaai.”
Samantha, the Aquarium’s penguin mascot, will also make an appearance during the waddle.
“It is estimated that, at the turn of the century, the African penguin population numbered approximately 1.5 million. Today, fewer than 60 000 remain with just over 18 000 breeding pairs in South Africa. ”
Members of the Aquarium will have the opportunity to see the movie City Slickers – A Tale of Two African Penguins after the waddle.
“Human action, past and present, is to blame for the severe decline in numbers. In the past, millions of African penguin eggs were collected for consumption as a delicacy. Thousands of tonnes of penguin guano, used as fertiliser, were removed from the islands where the birds nest. This destroyed the penguins’ nesting material as African penguins dig into the thick guano deposits to create nests which shelter the eggs and the chicks. Without the guano, the nest, eggs and chicks are left exposed to the elements as well as predators. The practices of removing eggs and guano are now banned, but their effect on the penguin population has been lasting.”
The AfriSam Children’s Play Centre will buzz with penguin arts and crafts for the day.
“Today, penguins face more direct threats including oil spills and food source depletion. When a penguin is covered in oil, its feathers loose their waterproofing. The penguin is therefore unable to swim and hunt for food. Furthermore, when the penguin tries to clean itself, it ingests the oil, which can lead to the bird’s death.”
You will also be encouraged to make a “penguin promise” in support of the Penguin Promises awareness campaign. To learn more about this campaign, please visit the website at www.penguinpromises.com.
“African penguins feed mainly on small, shoaling fish like pilchards and anchovies. This puts them in direct competition with humans. Studies have found that African penguins have to travel further and further away form their colonies in search of food. This is detrimental to penguin chicks as they rely on their parents for food and protection. The adult penguins are also suffering, as they have to consume enough fish to sustain them, as well as their chicks.”
And don't forget feeding times - the African penguins are fed every day (including this Saturday) at 11:45am and 2:30pm.
